Tourists visiting the Eternal City to see Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain find themselves in for an unexpected disappointment.

While the famous Baroque landmark is closed for maintenance, visitors have instead tossed coins into a makeshift rectangular pool covered in unadorned plywood, sparking frustration and disappointment among those hoping to experience the real thing.

The Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most famous fountains, is being temporarily drained for routine maintenance, a process that has left tourists with a disappointing alternative.

The simple structure erected in front of the fountain is at best functional, but the lack of aesthetic appeal has made it a turnoff for many visitors.

While some tourists appreciate the effort to maintain tradition, others feel that the substitute lacks the charm of Rome’s usual grandeur.

“I think it’s a very sweet gesture that people can still do this,” said Marianna Strekstadt, a tourist from the Netherlands. The Independent.

Others, however, found it harder to hide their disappointment.

“It’s ugly,” said Daniela Carbone, who still allowed her children to toss coins into the replacement pool.

“We have to please the kids,” she explained with a laugh.

In normal times, the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain accumulate for several days before being collected by Caritas, a Catholic charity that uses the funds for Rome’s food banks, kitchens and social projects.

The tradition of throwing coins into the fountain, a ritual said to ensure a future return to Rome, has been an enduring part of the city’s appeal for decades.

But the temporary loss of the beloved fountain is only a symptom of a wider transformation taking place in Rome.

Italy’s capital is undergoing a radical facelift as it prepares for the Roman Catholic Holy Year 2025, an event that could attract 32 million pilgrims and tourists.

The increase in visitors has led city officials to rethink access to the Trevi Fountain.

Rome authorities are considering a plan to limit entry by requiring tourists to pre-select their time slots online.

Under the proposed scheme, visitors would pay a €2 (£1.60) fee and have a 30-minute window to enjoy the landmark up close, a system designed to ease overcrowding while keeping experience for future tourists.

For now, however, many travelers are adjusting to the sight of their euros disappearing into a makeshift box instead of the famous fountain.